TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, my TC commences in 2025

I spoke to a member of GR, and I was told I’m exempt from the City Consortium Programme, if I pass the LPC in the first go.

In my signed offer letter, I requested an earlier start date, given that I’m exempt from the CCP (provided I pass all my modules) - this was again acknowledged by GR.

You must be doing an old format of qualification with the TC then.

You’ll need to to the PSC during your TC and see three distinct areas of law. You won’t be able to leave to train elsewhere without approval from the SRA.

If you are doing a Qualifying Work Experience TC, then no matter what Freshfields say, you will need to do the SQE2.

 

[hopefullawyer123]

Hi @Jessica Booker ( and anyone else in the forum who might know)

I hope you are well!

I’ve read on the forum that you are quite familiar with Top Score. I was wondering if you knew whether Top Score has the functionality to be able to see what you’re doing on your laptop? For example, if I opened a separate tab or separate browser and searched something - can they see that? Like a screen share?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker ( and anyone else in the forum who might know)

I hope you are well!

I’ve read on the forum that you are quite familiar with Top Score. I was wondering if you knew whether Top Score has the functionality to be able to see what you’re doing on your laptop? For example, if I opened a separate tab or separate browser and searched something - can they see that? Like a screen share?

Many thanks in advance

I don’t think they would see you screen, but the technology might be there these days.

However, you shouldn’t be doing assessment centre exercises in conjunction with someone (what would be happening if you were sharing your screen or someone was sharing theirs).

Integrity is a vital aspect of the profession and this would be a form of cheating. If you were found out, there is little to no chance of you being offered a role.

Even if the technology doesn’t pick it up, assessors can often guess when something like this is happening by your behaviour on camera, and they will be able to see what you are doing/viewing when you are on the platform at the same time. If that doesn’t add up, they will have concerns about this.

 

[Fd321]

Has anyone heard from Howard kennedy post app? I got this email to fill out a diversity and inclusion questionnaire a couple of days ago which I thought was pretty odd post app but other than that haven’t heard anything

 

[hopefullawyer123]

I don’t think they would see you screen, but the technology might be there these days.

However, you shouldn’t be doing assessment centre exercises in conjunction with someone (what would be happening if you were sharing your screen or someone was sharing theirs).

Integrity is a vital aspect of the profession and this would be a form of cheating. If you were found out, there is little to no chance of you being offered a role.

Even if the technology doesn’t pick it up, assessors can often guess when something like this is happening by your behaviour on camera, and they will be able to see what you are doing/viewing when you are on the platform at the same time. If that doesn’t add up, they will have concerns about this.

Hi Jessica

Thanks for your reply

Absolutely. I didn’t mean that I would be sharing my screen to someone else, I meant is the technology such that we are sharing our screen with the invigilators on top score.

The reason I asked was because I wanted to know if I was able to Google the spelling of a word for example ( which if top score shares screen they will see and whether that would be deemed acceptable)

 

[lw2000]

Has anyone heard from Howard kennedy post app? I got this email to fill out a diversity and inclusion questionnaire a couple of days ago which I thought was pretty odd post app but other than that haven’t heard anything

The email said the deadline for filling the D&I questionnaire is today and that it was the final step in the application so I think sometime in May is probably the earliest we will hear

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica

Thanks for your reply

Absolutely. I didn’t mean that I would be sharing my screen to someone else, I meant is the technology such that we are sharing our screen with the invigilators on top score.

The reason I asked was because I wanted to know if I was able to Google the spelling of a word for example ( which if top score shares screen they will see and whether that would be deemed acceptable)

You’d be able to Google stuff for things like spellings. Even if you didn’t do that on your computer you could easily do that on your phone or another device that wouldn’t be shared. I don’t think you share your screen with the software platform though - everything you do is within the confines of the platform.

Googling something is going to generally be ok though as it’s something you’d realistically do in the workplace anyway/have access to

 

[LegalLordLox]

Anyone heard from shoosmiths?

 

[Pal22]

Hi, congratulations on your TC offer!

I received a TC offer from Freshfields this cycle. I’m currently completing the LPC - GR told me that if I pass all my LPC modules, I’m exempt from the SQE (both 1 and 2).

I guess it depends on the firm!

Thank you!

 

[Pal22]

This is very common now. Many firms do not want trainees coming through two qualification routes as they are treated so differently, have different rights, different training needs etc.

You’ll be exempt from SQE1 and will just need to sit SQE2 given you have passed the LPC.

Thanks Jessica! Appreciate this info. Do you know if any firms do not require the SQE or is that across the board?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks Jessica! Appreciate this info. Do you know if any firms do not require the SQE or is that across the board?

I don't know the specifics unfortunately - you would need to speak to each firm about this.

 

[norothrow324]

Does anyone know when Ashurst usually holds their ACs?

 

[maz12]

Anyone heard from shoosmiths?

No, I don't think we will hear back until later May/early June

 

[Fd321]

The email said the deadline for filling the D&I questionnaire is today and that it was the final step in the application so I think sometime in May is probably the earliest we will hear

Yeah I thought it seemed super random to give out that once our applications had already been submitted? But yeah you’re probably right 🤞🏼

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

This is by no means accurate at all - which is frustrating when it comes from a website like that.

1) It won’t be a percentage

2) Even if they do mean percentile rather than percentage it is exceptionally rare for the cut off to be that high

I wish I read this before, would have saved my anxiety by A LOT!

 

[academicweapon121]

@Jessica Booker :

Is it a bad idea to use the same event to answer two questions on an application form? For example, an important project I was part of is a very good example of excellent teamwork but also of using commercial awareness, which are two separate questions in the application. I unfortunately don't have any other examples that will be quite as strong.

Thanks

 

[YP]

Withers interview!!!! Any advice would be much appreciated!

For anyone who's waiting I did my online test in January....

 

[Phoebe123451]

hi has anyone who applied to CRS for direct TC alone, received an AC invite?

 

[p272]

also received an invitation to interview from Withers ! I'm studying abroad so not available for any of the dates they've given me so I hope they will be flexible either allowing for virtual interview or offering different dates 🤞

 

[BM99]

No Baker VIs today?